Punching apparatus



Nov. 20, 1962 J. c. DAVY ETAL PUNCHING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 17, 1961 m m m 0 t m u A v A v: Z M P o H V Nov. 20, 1962 J. c. DAVY ETAL PUNCHING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 17, 1961 Inventors Jo H N c. DAV I V0 PA VL i C ttqrneys Nov. 20, 1962 J. c. DAVY ETAL PUNCHING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 17, 1961 JOHN C. DAVY :rvo PAvLic K Attorneys Nov. 20, 1962 J. c. DAVY ETAL 3,064,881

PUNCHING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 17, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fig. 5.

Attorneys 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 20, 1962 J. c. DAVY ETAL PUNCHING APPARATUS Nov.

Filed Feb. 17, 1961 This invention relates to punching apparatus in general although it is particularly useful in punching statistical record cards or tape.

This application is a continuation-in-part of applications, Serial Nos. 785,841 and 785,842, both filed ianuary 9, 1959, now abandoned.

Punching apparatus for punching statistical record cards has heretofore usually embodied a plurality of punches adapted for cooperation with a die which punches are conditioned for a punching operation by set bars or similar devices selectively actuated under control of electrical or mechanical signals. The conditioned set bars or similar devices are latched in the setup condition thereof and delatched by shutters or similar devices. The use or" such devices necessitates the allocation of a relatively long period of each cycle to the setting and restoring of the punch conditioning Set barsthis period being additional to the time required to effect punching.

Further, it has heretofore often been usual to effect punching by the movement of a die relative to the punches and in such instances the driving force for the die must be suflicient to force all of the set or conditioned punches through the card, thus resulting in a high peak torque.

With these defects of the prior art in mind, it is one object of the present invention to provide a punching apparatus which permits punch selection to be effected during a period of at least two-thirds of a cycle and, if desired, to be effected while the punching of the immediately preceding selection is being efiected.

' It is another object of the present invention to provide a punching apparatus which is of light weight and simple construction and which is capable of effecting punching operations in quick succession thus providing a high speed punching apparatus. It is a further object of the invention to provide a punching apparatus in which the high peak torque effect is avoided by spreading the load over a period of about one-quarter of a cycle.

The factors mentioned above as being inherent in the previously known constructions have combined to restrict the rate at which successive punching operations may be effected and it is a further object of the invention to provide a punching apparatus capable of performing successive punching operations at a rate of excess of that heretofore possible.

The foregoing objects and others ancillary thereto are accomplished according to preferred embodiments of the invention in the first of which there is provided punching apparatus comprising a die, a carrier reciprocable towards and away from the die, a plurality of punches aligned lengthwise with the die and supported by the carrier for free independent lengthwise movement relative to the carrier, yieldable means for each punch extending between the punch and the carrier, and, for each punch, selectively operable means adapted to constrain or retain the punch against lengthwise movement during the initial period of movement of the carrier towards the die thereby to build up energy in the yieldable means cooperating with the punch, which energy on release of the punch causes the punch to move with and relative to the carrier to effect lengthwise movement of the punch through material to be punched and into the die.

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According to another embodiment of the invention there is provided punching apparatus in which a plurality of independently lengthwise movable punches arranged for cooperation with a die are normally retained in spaced relation with the die by retaining means individual to the punches and selectively operable to effect release of the punches, and in which the punches on release thereof are movable with and relative to a carrier reciprocable relative to the die and to the punches when in their retained positions so that the released punches effect punching due to the kinetic energy thereof and are then restored by the carrier to cooperation with the retaining means.

The novel features that are considered characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the several figures and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates punching apparatus according to the invention and is a part section taken substantially along the plane defined by line 'I-I of FIGURE 3,

FIG. 2 is a view looking in the direction l'l Il, FIGURE 1,

FIG. 3 is a top plan of FIGURE 1 with some parts omitted for clarity,

FIG. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially along the plane defined by line IV-1V of FIGURE 2,

FIGS. 5 to 7 are fragmentary sectional views illustrating steps in the operation of a punch of one of the embodiments of the invention,

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 5 and illustrating another embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 9 is a schematic circuit diagram of the control means for the first embodiment of the invention, and

FIG. 10 is a schematic circuit diagram of the control means for the second embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, a die 1 is supported between machine frames 2, 3 together with a stripper plate 4. The plate 4 is spaced from die 1, as is usual, to permit material, for example a statistical record card, to be fed, in the direction of arrow 5, FIG. 1, to and past the punching position by pairs of rollers of which one pair 6, 7 is shown in FIGURE 1.

A carrier 8 is supported by eccentric straps 9, 10 mounted on eccentrics 11, 12 rotatable with shafts 13, 14. The shafts 13, 14 are rotated from the main drive of the machine (not shown). The carrier 8 is reciprocated by eccentrics 11, 12 towards and away from the die 1 and sometimes supports a plurality of punches 15, while at other times it is movable relative thereto. The punches may be arranged in rows and columns and for purposes of illustration there are assumed to be one hundred and twenty punches arranged as ten columns each of twelve punches. The punches are aligned lengthwise with the holes 16 in the die and are freely and independently movable lengthwise relative to the carrier.

Each punch is provided with a shoulder 17 and a stem 18 which is integral therewith and with an armature 19 at the end thereof remote from its working end. A compression spring 20 surrounds the stem 18 and has one end engaged with the shoulder 17 and the opposite end engaged with an abutment plate 21 movable with the carrier 8. When the carrier 8 moves away from die 1 the punches 15 are moved therewith due to the engagement of the heads of the armatures by a resilient buffer 22, made for example of rubber, which is movable with the abutment 21.

The carrier 8 is guided during reciprocation thereof by a guide 23 of square cross-section and a guide 24 of circular cross-section. The shoulders 17 each have fiat opposite sides extending lengthwise of the rows and, as may be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 the flat sides cooperate with fixed guides 25 to prevent rotation of the punches about their longitudinal axes during lengthwise movement thereof. The guides 25 are fixed to the stripper plate 4. T

For each punch .15 there is provided an electromagnet 26 which in the drawings is shown as being of horseshoe shape with the ends thereof anchored in a fixed plate 27 to ensure accurate positioning thereof relative to the armatures 19. To ensure maximum utilization of the space available, each electromagnet, as illustrated in FIGURE 4, has one pole-piece of square cross-section and one of oblong rectangular cross-section, the arrangement being such that considered columnwise of the punches, that is, as viewed in FIGURE 2, the pole-piece of square cross section of one electromagnet is located between the polepieces of oblong rectangular cross-section of the two adjoining elec'tromagnets disposed on opposite sides thereof, while the pole-piece of oblong rectangular cross-section of said one electromagnet is located between the pole-pieces of square cross-section of said two adjoining electromagnets. The coils for the electromagnets are wound around the pole-pieces of square cross-section. The electromagnets 26 of each column thereof are mounted on fixed bars 28 of rectangular cross-section and are clamped to the bars 28 as by grub screws 29, FIGURE 1, and in this embodiment the electromagnets 26 are normally deenergized.

FIGURE 8 illustrates a second embodiment of the invent-ion constituting the same structural organization as Ithat heretofore described and for convenience, their identical elements in FIGURE 8 have identical reference characters to those of the first embodiment while corresponding but modified elements are identified by primed characters. Thus, the difference in structure is that the mass of the punches I is relatively greater than that of the punches and/or the springs are relatively lighter and have less force than the springs 20. In addition, the operation is different as will be hereinafter described, the electromagnets 26 being normally energized. v

The wiring diagram for the control means for the first embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 9. A computer C is connected with a plurality of relays R R and R which are selectively energized by the computer according to a preselected arrangement which is programmed to the computer. The electromagnets 26a, 26b and 26c are connected to the power supply through the power supply conductors 40 and 41 and respective normally open switches S S and S respectively controlled by the relays R R and R Furthermore, a timing cam T is provided for opening a switch 42 in power supply conductor 41 to open all of the electromagnet circuits simultaneously.

In discussing the operation, only electromagnets 26a and 26]) will be considered, although it will obviously apply for all of the electromagnets. Initially, the computer is programmed to actuate the relays as desired, or some other control means may be used to actuatethe relays. The computer is so programmed that if the punch associated with electromagnet 26a is to be actuated during operation of a particular cycle of the machine, Relay R will be energized to close switch S and energize electromagnet 2601 which will attract the armature 19 of the corresponding punch 15 and retain the punch in the upper position as the carrier 8 moves downwardly.

The cam T may be directly geared to the drive shaft of the machine so as to provide a simple accurate synchronization, and at the desired instant, after the carrier 8 has moved downwardly a 'suificient distance to load the springs 20 of those punches which are temporarily retained in the upper position, the lobe of the cam will open the switch 42. When the circuits of the electromagnets 4 are simultaneously broken by opening switch 42, the magnetic attraction between the armatures and the electromagnets will cease and the loaded springsZtl take over and fire the punches so as to form the desired holes in the paper, cards or other matter to be punched.

Assume during this same cycle of operation, that the punch associated with electromagnet 26b is not to be actuated. Then, at the same time that the computer actuates relay R to close switch S relay R is given no signal whatsoever so that switch S remains in open position, as shown in FIG. 9 and the circuit to electromagnet 26!) remains open. Thus, as the carrier moves downwardly, it urges the punch downwardly therewith through the intermediary of the spring and this punch moves until it is stopped by engagement with the paper, whereupon the spring will be compressed and absorb any further motion of carrier 8, and no perforation will be formed through the paper. Obviously, opening switch 42 will have no effect on electromagnet 26b.

Considering this first embodiment of the invention from the mechanical'aspect, rather than the electrical aspect as discussed above, when the carrier 8 raises the punches ment of the carrier toward the die and upon such deenergi- V zation the compressed springs fire or thrust their associated punches with sutficient force to eifect a punching operation.

Those punches which are not to perform a punching operation .are not restrained by their electromagnets and are free to move with the carrier at all times. The springs are sufficiently stiff and the mass of the punches is sufiiciently small that upon initial movement of the carrier toward the die, the springs of the punches which are not to be operatedare not effectively compressed and merely move their punch toward the die at substantially the same speed as the carrier. These punches moving at the same speed as thecarrier are thrust against the paper but the momentum of the punches is not sufficient to perforate the paper and further movement of the carrier toward the die is absorbed by the spring, while the punches remain stationary.

The arrangement is such that a period of over twothirds of a cycle is available in which to effect setting of the electromagnets, and the punching load, due to the compression of the springs 20 on the set punches, is spread over about a quarter of a cycle. Further, if desired, one punching operation can be effected while the next setting of the electromagnets is taking place because immediately after the set punches are released by the electromagnets the latter can be reenergized in readiness for the return of the punches by the carrier '8.

The circuit for the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10 difliers from that of the first embodiment in that the power supply conductor'41 is not interrupted by the cam switch 42 and the switches S are normally closed to complete circuits between the power lines 40 and 41 and normally energize the electromagnets 26'. The relays R are normally deenergized. In discussing the operation of this embodiment, it will be assumed that the punch associated with electromagnet 26a is to punch a hole while the punch associated with electromagnet 26b is not to punch a hole.

To initiate a punching cycle, relay R is energized by 'means of the programmed computer, opening switch S,

and thus deenergizing electromagnet 26a. No signal whatsoever is given to relay R and accordingly the electromagnet 26b is constantly energized because it is directtime the computer or other control means will give any other desired signals to the relays so as to properly energize or deenergize the electrom;gnets for selective punching of the card or paper as desired.

As previously stated, the mass of the punches is greater with respect to the stiffness of the springs so that upon initial movement of the carrier 8 toward the die 1, the punch 15 is controlled by electromagnet 26a in the present example, is retarded by inertia from movement with the carrier until its spring 29' is compressed sufficiently to overcome such inertia, whereupon the punch is driven toward the die with sufficent momentum to perforate .the paper. Those punches which are not to perform the punching operation have their electromagnets energized at all times and the magnetic force between these electromagnets and the punch armatures is greater than the compressive force placed upon the spring when the carrier is in its lowest position so that those punches are kept out of action by magnetic attraction with their associated electromagnets.

It will also be understood that the number and arrangement 'of punches employed may be different from that described above With reference to the drawings and may consist of a single column of punches or of a number of columns other than ten.

Although certain specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it is obvious that many modifications thereof are possible. The invention, therefore, is not to be restricted except insofar as is necessitated by the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, we claim:

1. Punching apparatus comprising a die, a plurality of punches aligned with apertures in the die and cooperable therewith to punch an article, selector means spaced from the die and located on the lines of movement of the punches and operable selectively to render the punches operative to perform a punching operation, reciprocable carrier means common to and supporting the punches for movement therewith and for independent movement relative thereto, resilient means interposed between the carrier means and punches and deriving energy from relative axial movement between the punches and carrier means, and driving means operable to effect continuous reciprocation of the carrier means between said die and selector means so that all punches are cyclically located relative to the selector means for selection thereby for the succeeding punching operation.

2. Punching apparatus comprising a die, a plurality of punches aligned with apertures in the die and cooperable therewith to punch an article, selector means to render the punches operative to perform a punching operation spaced from the die and located on the lines of movement of the punches and selectively operable to grasp and release individual punches, a reciprocable carrier common to and supporting the punches for movement therewith and for independent movement relative thereto, resilient means on the carrier and interposed between the carrier and punches so as to derive energy from relative movement of the punches with respect to the carrier to move those punches released by the selector means independently of the carrier and with sufiicient force into the die apertures to perform the punching, and driving means operable to effect continuous reciprocation of the carrier between said die and selector means so that all punches are cyclically located within grasping distance of the selector means for selection thereby for the succeeding punching operation.

3. Punching apparatus according to claim 2. wherein said resilient means comprises a spring interposed between each punch and said carrier, and said selector means is adapted to constrain selected punches against movement towards the die to build up energy in the spring cooperating with the punch while the carrier is moving toward said die, whereby said energy on release of the punch by said 6 means is utilized to move the punch lengthwise through material to be punched and into the die.

4. Punching apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said carrier is provided with an abutment movable with the carrier, said punches having shoulders, said resilient means comprising a spring for each punch extending between the shoulder on the punch and the abutment, and said selector means is operable to constrain each punch against lengthwise movement during the initial period of movement of the carrier towards the die thereby to build up energy in the spring cooperating with the punch and to release the punch during another period of movement of the carrier towards the die causing the punch to move with and relative to the carrier to elfect lengthwise movement of the punch through material to be punched and into the die.

5. Punching apparatus according to claim 4 wherein each punch is formed with an armature portion, said selector means comprising a plurality of stationary electromagnets aligned with each armature to constrain the armature and thus the punch against lengthwise movement when energized, and means controlling energization of the electromagnet during the initial period of movement of the carrier towards the die thereby to build up energy in the spring cooperating with the punch and to release the punch during a later period of movement of the carrier towards the die.

6. Punching apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said punches are aligned in rows and the shoulder of each punch has flat opposite sides extending lengthwise of the rows, and fixed guides cooperating with said flat sides of the punch shoulders to prevent rotation of the punches about the longitudinal axes thereof.

7. Punching apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said punches are aligned in rows, said electromagnet means includes a plurality of horse-shoe electromagnets, each of said electromagnets having one pole-piece of square crosssection and one of oblong rectangular cross-section, and the pole-piece of square cross-section of one electromagnet being located between the pole-pieces of oblong rectangular cross-section of adjoining electromagnets on opposite sides thereof and the pole-piece of oblong rectangular cross-section of said one electromagnet being located between the pole-pieces of square cross-section of said adjoining electromagnets.

8. Punching apparatus according to claim 2 in which said selector means is operative to counteract the resilient means by retaining the punches in spaced relation with the die and is selectively renderable inactive to retain certain punches so that they become movable with and relative to the carrier means at a speed such that punching is efiected by the kinetic energy of the punches when the carrier means moves toward the die.

9. Punching apparatus according to claim 8 wherein an armature is provided on each punch, and said selector means comprises a stationary electromagnet for each punch and each disposed for cooperation with the armature of a punch.

10. Punching apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said resilient means includes a spring for each punch adapted to ensure movement of the punch with and relative to the carrier on release of the punch by the corresponding electromagnet, the spring being compressible by the carrier during movement thereof towards the die when the punch is in the retained position thereof and so const'ructed that the load of the spring when compressed by the carrier is less than that of the magnetic force by which the punch is held in the retained position thereof.

11. Punching apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said punches are aligned in rows, said electromagnets are of the horse-shoe type, each electromagnet has one polepiece of square cross-section and one or" oblong rectangular cross-section, and the pole-piece of square cross-section of one electromagnet is located between the pole-pieces of oblong rectangular cross-section of adjoining electromagnets on opposite sides thereof and the pole-piece of oblong rectangular cross-section of said one electromagnetc is located between the pole-pieces of square cross-section of said adjoining electromagnets.

12. Punching apparatus comprising a die, a carrier having a plurality of openings and reciprocable towards and away from the die; a plurality of punches passing through said openings and supported by the carrier for free independent lengthwise movement relative to and in the same direction as the carrier, a spring disposed about each punch and supported between abutments on the carrier and the punch, and a stationary electromagnet spaced from the die and substantially aligned with an armature on each punch to constrain the punch against lengthwise movement when the electromagnet is energized.

13. Punching apparatus comprising a die, a carrier reciprocable towards and away from the die, an abutment movable with the carrier, punches disposed in rows and columns, each punch being aligned lengthwise with the die, having a shoulder with flat opposite sides extending lengthwise of the rows, and being supported by the carrier for free independent lengthwise movement relative to the carrier, a spring for each punch extending between the shoulder therefor and the abutment movable with the carrier, an armature on each punch, a stationary electromagnet aligned with each punch and adapted by cooperation with the armature fitted to the punch to constrain the punch against lengthwise movement during the initial period of movement of the carrier towards the die thereby to build energy in the spring cooperating with the punch which energy on release of the punch causes the punch to move with and relative to the carrier to effect lengthwise movement of the punch through material to-be punched and into the die, and fixed guides cooperating with said flat sides of the punch shoulders to prevent rotation of the punches about the longitudinal axes thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 808,311 Sandell Dec. 26, 1905 1,333,089 Mintz Mar. 9, 1920 2,813,481 Hansen Nov. 19, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 360,094 Great Britain Nov. 5, 1931 I 

